OTTAWA—Canada’s search-and-rescue system is “not good enough,” Defence Minister Peter MacKay says in the face of growing concern that serious shortfalls could put Canadians in danger.

A day after the auditor general detailed problems with the country’s rescue network, MacKay suggested it’s all under review as Ottawa looks to tackle the shortfalls.

While the audit said the coast guard and military can “adequately respond” to rescue calls, MacKay told the Commons Wednesday, “that is not good enough.

“We recognize that. We accept (Michael Ferguson’s) recommendations,” MacKay said, adding that his department has already been work with other departments on the issue.

“We will be assessing our search and rescue governance structure at all federal levels, as well as working with the other jurisdictions to ensure that search and rescue continues to improve for this country,” he said.

Tuesday’s report from Ferguson painted a stark assessment of the military’s search-and-rescue capabilities, highlighting aging aircraft, second-rate helicopters, a shortage of personnel and an outdated information system to coordinate it all.

The problems prompted Ferguson to bluntly warn that he was worried about the sustainability of a rescue system that responds to more than 9,000 incidents a year.

In question period Wednesday, New Democrat MP Jack Harris (St. John’s East) accused the government of being blind to the long-standing problems.

“When it comes to search and rescue, the Conservatives just do not have a plan,” Harris said.

“That is why helicopters and availability are inadequate, and planes are not being replaced. That is why staff have to resort to Google maps to manage the search process,” Harris said.

Harris said later he was especially troubled by the audit’s finding that the readiness of search and rescue crews was being dictated by available resources.

“We’re setting our response times and our capability based on the equipment we have, not based on the needs that exist,” Harris told reporters.

“The protection of Canadians through search and rescue should be given more priority than it is,” he said.

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